We’re attending this gathering of diplomats, executives of international aid agencies, corporate decision makers, and political leaders. This is a sort of reaction to the growing concern about ISIS and other “radical groups.” The event is called A Forum on Current Dynamics of Radicalism in Southeast Asia: Peace Building Challenges and Opportunities in the Philippines, held here in a five-star hotel, Shangri-la EDSA.
The organizers invited us for free!
My reflections based on Peace Theology:
Radix. Latin word for root.
Radical. A person who advocates thorough or complete political or social change; a member of a political party or part of a party pursuing such aims. (synonyms: revolutionary, progressive)
I’m a radical in a sense that I see, analyze, and act to understand and help solve my perceived root of a problem.
There are violent radicals.
There are active nonviolent radicals.
I belong to a movement committed to active nonviolent radical approach to social change. I am a Radical Transformation activist.
Governments, corporations, civil societies, religious institutions, academic institutions, security sectors, and media must distinguish active nonviolent radicals like us from those violent radicals.
Radicalism is not the problem.
Terrorism is the problem. Terrorism is committed both by non-state armed elements and the armed forces of many states.
Radical, active nonviolent transformation is happening!
